Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have a partner?

It is not necessary to learn tango with a partner. We normally have a balanced leader and follower ratio and some of our experienced students do assist us during the lessons. It is also essential that women learn the dance by themselves to understand its structure as often women rely too much on the men to lead them in the dance. Understanding the structure helps the women to progress in tango.

How many people are in your classes?

Class sizes vary from term to term and venue to venue but we try to limit our classes to a maximum of 10-15 students in order to provide quality time to each couple or student. We don't encourage huge classes of 40 students as it gets impersonal and it is impossible to get around to each person.

What is the average age of people in your classes?

People of all ages attend our classes. Our youngest students are in their early 20s. Our eldest students are in their 70s. The majority of our students are in the early 30s to late 40s age group.

Do you offer private lessons?

Yes, we offer private lessons for singles and couples by appointment only. CLICK HERE for details.

Do you prepare couples for their wedding dances?

Yes, we have successfully taught many couples improvisation and simple choreographies for their wedding dances. Tango is a wonderfully romantic and sensuous dance to celebrate the occasion of a wedding. Please contact us to discuss how we can prepare you for your wedding dance.

Do you perform at events?

Yes - we have performed at consulate events, festivals and community events. We hope to pass on our opportunities to our students. Please contact us if you are interested in featuring an Argentine Tango demonstration or showcase for your upcoming event.

How do I pay for your courses?

What can I do in between classes to help develop my Tango?

The variety of exercises we use in our classes to warm-up can be practiced at home with or without a partner.

Familiarise yourself with the music of the 'Top Tango Orchestras' (not Piazzolla). For a list of the essential orchestras, Click Here. If you do not have their music, just ask us and we can assist you.

Attend our Milongas (social Argentine Tango dance night). We host one monthly Milonga on the last Saturday of the month. If you do not feel good enough to dance socially you can still learn a lot by watching and it is a good opportunity to break the ice and meet others who enjoy the passion of Tango.

What if I can only attend some of the lessons in the 8 week course?

If you are unable to attend to complete the 8 lessons, you can pay pro-rata for the course (percentage of number of lessons attended) and attend a private lesson or two to complete the course or attend lessons in the same week at our other venue. Each private lesson is equivalent to about 2 - 3 group lessons.

What should I wear to class?

The classes are NOT acrobatic, and not highly aerobic so just wear comfortable clothes in which you can walk easily.

For men - if you sweat easily you may like to bring a change of top and a towel.

What type of shoes should I wear?

For men and women - We recommend leather or suede soles. The soles should not be too thick as this makes it harder to walk along the floor gracefully. If you are new to Tango and don't have the right shoes don't worry! You can always wear socks to your class in the meantime.

For women - Heel height is very much a personal choice. If you go to a tango social you will see a range of heel heights. High heels are flattering for the legs but taller women may prefer shorter heels so that they don't tower over their dance partners. The main issue is that the heel does not weigh your foot down. Most of the time women are on the balls of their feet and a wide heavy heel makes this more difficult. Dance shoes are lighter and flexible in comparison to your normal leather pair.

Where can I buy Tango shoes in Australia?

How long does Tango take to learn?

This is like asking "How long does it take to learn yoga or play the violin?". Tango is a practice, and you will be working on your tango for the rest of your life.Our beginners course is designed so that from the first class, you will be moving to the music and each week you will improve. But to dance well socially you need to practice and 'do the miles' on the dance floor.

Do I need any prior dance experience?

No. Argentine Tango is a dance based on regular movement (eg. walking down the street). If you can walk and hear the beat of the music you can dance the Tango.

What if I have 'two left feet'?

Quite a common saying from people. Many of our students have described themselves in this way and many of them have become very competent dancers! Prior negative experiences with learning to dance may have left you with the belief that you cannot dance. Our recommendation is "just give it a go, have fun and meet people!'' You may be pleasantly surprised!

Do my partner and I have to rotate with other people in your classes?

No. Rotation is encouraged but optional.

Can I learn from YouTube videos?

If you are not able to get to any schools in your area, there are many videos available to study. You will need a partner with whom to study. Even if you are studying by video, we recommend occasionally travelling to take classes (group or private) and attend Milongas to get experience dancing with others. Whilst you can learn much from videos, hands-on experience is irreplaceable.

Is Argentine Tango the same as Ballroom Tango?

No. They started out from the same roots, but location, time and the ever evolving nature of dance have made them separate dances. The American and International ballroom tangos are very different from the tango danced socially in Argentina. Argentine Tango is different from the ballroom tangos in its posture, embrace, improvisation, movement, balance, steps, and music. It's completely different from the top of your head to the bottom of the soles of the shoes you dance it with.

If you have a background in ballroom tango, just think of Argentine Tango as a completely new dance—not as an enhancement of the one you already know.

What does 'Milonga' mean?

It can mean two things: 1) The place where one goes to dance tango ("I am going to the milonga tonight") or 2) one of the rhythms in the Argentine Tango family of 3 rhythms (Tango, Milonga, Vals). The milonga rhythm is usually happier and faster than the tango rhythm.

What style of Tango do you teach?

We are strongly influenced by the Milonguero style which is Close embrace Tango - as danced socially in Buenos Aires. It places great emphasis on elegance, quality of movement. improvisation and musicality. We also dance Salon Tango and Nuevo styles. We dance canyengue which is the predecessor of tango.

Do you teach any other dances other than Argentine Tango?

We teach Tango Vals and Milonga which are both dances from the Tango tradition. There are 3 moods: Tango is melancholic; Vals is romantic and Milonga is cheeky. We do not teach any other latin dances or Ballroom Tango.

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Who are we?

Mi Serenata Tango was founded by Sabrina Elias and is hosted by Raffaele (Raffa) Capasso and Sabrina Elias. It is now based in their home state, Sydney, NSW Australia and shall resume their private and group lessons over the next few months.

Our basic ethos is to replicate the ambience of the milongas in Buenos Aires and nurture the soul and growth of tango in Sydney. Learn More